Gravitation, cosmology, and cosmic-ray physics are often regarded as
subfields of astrophysics, as well as physics, because they are practiced by using
physical techniques in an astronomical setting. However, this report makes no
pretense of surveying all of astrophysics; that enormous task was excellently done
by the Astronomy Survey Committee (George B. Field, chairman). Their report,
Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 1980's (National Academy Press,
Washington, D.C., 1982), has been widely circulated, and its recommendations
are currently being considered and implemented. We have restricted our review to
the above-named three areas of physics and astrophysics currently of particular
interest to physicists